Sixteen single parent college students in Saline County were just awarded scholarships for the 2023 Spring semester. Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) awarded 383 scholarships to single parents across the state for the Spring 2023 semester. Totaling just under $400,000, the scholarships are combined with services, such as mentoring and financial planning.
One from Saline county is Kiara Collins, who is working on her associate degree in criminal justice at Arkansas State University Three Rivers.
“This scholarship has impacted me emotionally and financially!” said Kiara, who has received a scholarship since the Spring 2022 semester. “Thanks for giving me the support to finish my education when I needed it the most. My two children, Serenity and Reshon, are depending on me.”
The following students from Saline County also received a single parent scholarship: Alex A., Destini Barnett, Shardria Bogard, Charisma Keith, Andrea E., Hannah Shores, Christa W., Savannah B., Emmaleigh B., Christina C., Zannon H, Lori Walls, Yuana Matheney, Jasmine Booker, and Derrian R.
Spring 2023 recipients received flexible financial aid up to $1,200 plus additional support. Supporters who funded the scholarships include individuals, churches, small businesses, and various banks and United Way organizations across the state.
In addition, funding is provided in part by Arkansas Community Foundation, Arkansas Division of Higher Education, Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation, Charles A. Frueauff Foundation, Conway Corp, Entergy, First Electric Cooperative, Union Pacific, and the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation to name a few.
Single parents are eligible for ASPSF scholarships if their household income is typically not more than 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines, maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, and have not previously earned a bachelor’s degree, among other requirements.
ASPSF’s next scholarship application period is April 15-June 15 for the Fall 2023 semester. Scholarship amounts will increase for all eligible full-time and part-time single parents to a maximum of $1,600.
For more information about the nonprofit — which has awarded more than $35 million in scholarships across the state to single parents since 1990 — contact ASPSF Communications Director Jen Para at [email protected] or 479.318.2885.
For more than 30 years, Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund has worked to create stronger, more educated, and more self-sufficient families. Through scholarships and services, ASPSF opens doors for low-income single parents, helping them pursue education, secure employment, and transform the future for their families. With the help of volunteers and community support, ASPSF creates multigenerational change, transforming lives for both single parents and their children. For information about scholarships, volunteer opportunities, and ways to give, visit www.aspsf.org.